O! the recorders: let me see one. To withdraw
with you: why do you go about to recover the
wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?
Guil. O! my lord, if my duty be too bold, my
love is too unmannerly.
Ham. I do not well understand that. Will
you play upon this pipe? 373
Guil. My lord, I cannot.
Ham. I pray you.
Guil. Believe me, I cannot. 376
Ham. I do beseech you.
Guil. I know no touch of it, my lord.
Ham. 'Tis as easy as lying; govern these
ventages with your finger and thumb, give it
breath with your mouth, and it will discourse
most excellent music. Look you, these are the
stops.
Guil. But these cannot I command to any
utterance of harmony; I have not the skill. 385
Ham. Why, look you now, how unworthy a
thing you make of me. You would play upon
me; you would seem to know my stops; you
would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you
would sound me from my lowest note to the top
of my compass; and there is much music, ex-
cellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you
make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think I am
easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me
what instrument you will, though you can fret
me, you cannot play upon me. 396
367 withdraw with: speak privately with
368 recover the wind of: keep watch upon; cf. n.
369 toil: snare
378 know no touch: have no skill at all
380 ventages: holes, stops
391 compass: range of voice
392 organ: musical instrument, the recorder
395 fret; cf. n.
